Caixin
Jun 08, 2024 06:16 PM
ECONOMY

Blue-Collar Work Surges in Popularity Among China’s Young Job Seekers

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Delivery workers in Nanjing on Oct. 2, 2021. Photo: VCG
Delivery workers in Nanjing on Oct. 2, 2021. Photo: VCG

The popularity of blue-collar jobs has surged among China’s young adults as demand has grown and wages risen compared with pre-pandemic levels, a report by a leading online hiring platform showed.

In the first quarter, the number of people under the age of 25 who applied for blue-collar jobs rose 165% compared with the same period in 2019, far outpacing the 62.4% growth in the number of job applicants of the same age group, according to a report published by online recruitment platform Zhaopin Ltd. on Thursday.

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  • The number of young adults applying for blue-collar jobs in China increased by 165% in Q1 compared to 2019, driven by higher demand and improved wages.
  • Blue-collar job recruitment almost quadrupled, with particular growth in sorting and delivery roles, as well as restaurant jobs, attracting young applicants.
  • The average monthly salary for blue-collar jobs in major cities rose by 35.8% to 7,215 yuan, outpacing overall salary growth by 7.6 percentage points.
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Who’s Who
Zhaopin Ltd.
Zhaopin Ltd. is a leading online recruitment platform that published a report highlighting the surge in popularity of blue-collar jobs among China’s young adults. The report showed a significant increase in job applications and demand for blue-collar positions, along with rising wages. Zhaopin monitors employment trends and provides data on job market shifts and salary growth.
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What Happened When
June 2023:
The surveyed urban unemployment rate for people aged between 16 and 24 hit a record high of 21.3%.
First quarter of 2024:
The number of people under the age of 25 who applied for blue-collar jobs rose 165% compared to the same period in 2019.
First quarter of 2024:
44.1% of restaurant workers were under the age of 25.
First quarter of 2024:
The number of openings in blue-collar jobs almost quadrupled compared to the same period in 2019.
First quarter of 2024:
The monthly salary offered by blue-collar job recruiters in 38 major cities averaged 7,215 yuan, a 35.8% increase from the same period in 2019.
April 2024:
The revamped youth unemployment rate excluding students stood at 14.7%, down slightly from March 2024.
June 6, 2024:
Zhaopin Ltd. published the report showing the surge in popularity of blue-collar jobs among young adults in China.
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